This oral history interview was conducted in both English and Spanish with Dr. Carmen Serrata, an assistant professor of Higher Education in the Department of Educational Leadership at the Cato College of Education, University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Dr. Serrata shared her family's migration experience from Mexico to the United States, recounting her life in Texas and the motivations that led her to pursue higher education and her specific area of study. Dr. Serrata discusses the challenges she and her family faced while living in Texas, including navigating language barriers, understanding the social hierarchy within multigenerational immigrant communities, and dealing with the educational system. She also reflects on Latino culture and self-identification, emphasizing the importance of passing down cultural values. Additionally, she acknowledges the support her parents provided her and her siblings in improving their lives. Finally, Dr. Serrata explains her decision to become a professor at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and shares her experiences of living and working in Charlotte